Commuters are battling the brutal heat as they try to make their way around the city.

Commuting in New York City is no joke during extreme temperatures. Getting from point A to point B can feel unbearable, especially while waiting on an underground platform for the train to pull in.

"It's hell," said Mel, who commutes from 242nd Street in The Bronx to Midtown daily for work.

News 12's thermometer clocked 86 degrees on a 1 train car Monday afternoon.

The train has been dubbed the hottest subway line, with nearly 3,000 broken air conditioning complaints over the course of four years, according to MTA data.

"Sometimes the air conditioning is working, not working," said Mel.

The agency says it is conducting more frequent checks of the air conditioning on subway cars and previously told News 12 that the average temperature on a subway car is 72.5 degrees.

Riders say they have to be strategic on their commutes, whether that's hopping from car to car - until they find one to cool off or avoiding the system all together.

"Honestly, I will avoid commuting during the day if I don't have to, unless it’s something I absolutely have to do, like work or school. I won't take the train until the sun has gone down," said Kayla who rides the 1 train.

Due to the high temperatures over the next two days, the city has activated its heat emergency plan to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers.

To find the nearest cooling center, call 311 or click here.